Welcome to Sotheby’s Summer Institute!

Overview

We’re so excited to meet you this summer in New York City.

The information below will assist you in planning and preparing for your time with us.

First and most importantly, is that you and you and your family thoroughly review the Student & Family Handbook where you will find all information, policies, and expectations of the pre-college program. It is important that you understand the content of the Student Handbook prior to your arrival in the program.

Program Form & SchoolDoc

The Institute utilizes SchoolDoc to securely collect pertinent student information including but not limited to emergency contacts, health forms, immunization records, dietary restrictions and accommodations. It is important that upon receipt, you promptly fill out, upload and submit the required documents. Families and Students will receive an invite to SchoolDoc via email approximately 10 weeks prior to Move-In Day.

Room Assignments:

At Sotheby’s Summer Institute we believe in the value of communal living and the holistic benefit that having a roommate provides students in our precollege program. The roommate experience affords students the opportunity to grow and nurture life skills such as communication, tolerance, and compromise, among others. We encourage our students to embrace the roommate experience with an open mind and heart-roommates tend to lead to long, lasting friendships.

Students are typically roomed according to their age or grade and self-identified gender listed in the program form sent after enrollment. Sotheby’s Summer Institute may consult with students on an individual basis as needed to find appropriate accommodation. Students will learn their room assignment upon arrival to the program.

Note: Students will not be able to request room changes upon arrival or during program duration.

Note Regarding Dorm Rooms

Students (both residential and day) should utilize common areas to congregate and socialize. Students are not permitted in dorm rooms that are not their own.

All residential students must sleep in their own beds in their assigned rooms. By adhering to this rule, we maintain a secure and orderly environment conducive to learning and student well-being. Students who would like to exchange room assignments must submit a request to their Residence Hall Director for approval.

These policies are strictly enforced by our residential staff to ensure the safety and security of all our students. Any violation of the policy may result in disciplinary actions ranging from loss of privileges to a student being sent home at the discretion of the Institute.

Dietary Restrictions and Meals: Meals are provided and include vegetarian and vegan options. Students and families must indicate any other necessary dietary accommodations on their program form prior to arrival. Families with specific dietary concerns are encouraged to contact the program office at studentlife@sia.edu as early as possible to discuss accommodation options.

As a reminder, our program meal plan provides residential students with breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays, and weekend breakfast (Saturdays and Sundays). Day students will be provided with daily weekday lunch.

Some meals will take place off campus during activities and field trips. Students should indicate any necessary dietary accommodations on their program forms prior to arrival. Families with specific concerns should note them in the program forms and contact the student life team at studentlife@sia.edu.

Note: Cash is not accepted on campus to purchase meals.

Instructional Accommodations: The Institute wants every student to succeed and strives to create a safe and inclusive environment that can support each student’s individual needs. We welcome requests for student instructional accommodations (academic, physical, assistive technologies or other), for students with disabilities, which may be required inside and/or outside of the classroom. We strongly encourage the disclosure of this information from students and their families. We ask that students and their families submit instructional accommodation requests, supporting documentation, and any other relevant information that may shape a student’s experience at the program as early as possible in the enrollment process. This will allow sufficient time to make any necessary arrangements, if appropriate, and ensure that all students have a fulfilling, enjoyable and safe experience.

All instructional accommodation requests and notifications should be submitted using the program form so that we may review the request, if needed we will contact the student and their family for additional information. The Institute values and is sensitive to individual needs and will work to accommodate reasonable requests where possible and practical.

IMPORTANT: Your Next Steps

1. Enrollment

All admitted students must complete an Enrollment Form and submit a nonrefundable initial payment of $1500 per course to guarantee their place in Sotheby’s Summer Institute. Students and parents will be sent an acceptance email containing a link to complete the form and select the course(s) they would like to attend. At the end of the form, the system will prompt you to submit your first payment and enroll.

2. Tuition Payment

If you have already submitted your tuition payment, you may ignore this section.

Payment Plans & Due Dates

For those preferring to pay in installments after submitting the non-refundable initial payment of $1500, installments may be paid directly in the portal.

Accepted payment methods may include:

• Credit Cards & Debit Cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
• Local Bank Transfer
• Bank Payment: Checking Account or Saving Account

Students who prefer to pay in installments can set up an automated payment plan at the time they enroll in their courses. Automated payment plans will charge a non-refundable initial payment of $1500 per term, followed by equal monthly installments through Spring 2025.

If the initial payment of $1500 is not received by the designated date on your acceptance letter, the offer of admission will be revoked. If space becomes available after a student’s application has been withdrawn, the student may contact the Admissions Office at precollege@sia.edu.

Refund Policy

The first initial payment of $1500 for Sotheby’s Summer Institute is non-refundable. To withdraw from the program for any reason before the start of the term, the student must notify Sotheby’s Summer Institute in writing via email, and, depending on the date of withdrawal, a portion of the tuition and fees previously paid may be refunded. No refunds will be given for early departures from a program, once it is underway, whether voluntary or otherwise.

*The first initial payment of $1500 and all processing fees are not eligible for refund.

Questions?

If you have a question about billing, please contact our admissions team directly at precollege@sia.edu.

Term Dates

The term(s) you have been accepted into can be found in your acceptance email. As a reminder, here are the dates for each term:

• Term 1:  July 6 – July 18, 2025
• Term 2: July 20 – August 1, 2025

Program Schedule

The program will begin on Sunday (day 1) with Check-In and Student Orientation, required for all students including both residential and day students. The Academic day will begin Monday with class starting promptly at 9:30 am. Students are expected to arrive at the classroom by 9:15 am. Day students will need to check in at the Welcome Desk to collect their ID cards to enter the academic building and thus should plan to arrive at 9:00 am daily. Additionally, Day Students will be required to check out with the Welcome Desk at the end of the academic day and return their ID cards.

Classes typically run for three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon with a one-hour break for lunch, concluding at 4:30 pm daily. Day students are expected to stay with their class until the end of the afternoon session. Day students may elect to participate in evening activities and/or remain on campus until curfew at 9:30 pm Sunday to Thursday and 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday.

In addition to the classroom activities, students are invited to participate in daily co-curricular ​activities that will support their in-class learning and encourage students to better get to know one another to build friendships and lasting connections. See below for event calendar and see the co-curricular events schedule for additional event details.

Program Curfew 

Sotheby’s Summer Institute does strictly enforce a program curfew for safety and security protocols. Residential students must be in their assigned room each evening by 9:30 pm. Sunday to Thursday and 10:00 pm. Friday and Saturday. Residential staff will conduct room checks at curfew. If a student is late for curfew, parents/guardians will be called immediately. Students are expected to be in their assigned room during curfew hours between 9:30 pm – 7:00 am. Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 pm – 7:00 am. Friday and Saturday. If students need staff assistance during curfew hours, they should call the emergency line (distributed to students on Move-in Day). Curfew hours are also established as quiet hours to allow students to sleep and study undisturbed.     

Checking Out of Program 

Any time students leave campus they must request the leave through Orah and our staff will approve/deny the request.  

​​​​​Off-Campus Checkout Privileges (Residential Students): 

• Students are able to travel around NYC with another student ‘buddy’ by using our checkout system.
• Off-Campus Checkout privileges begin on the 4th day of the term (Thursday) after academic session 4:30 pm.  
• Students must return by curfew: 9:30 pm Sunday to Thursday and 10:00 pm Friday and Saturday.  
• To request Off-Campus Check out privilege, student must submit request via Orah with the following required information: Location, Buddy, Time. 
• Special leave Request:   
  • Special Leave requests are available for students to take longer leaves (e.g., overnight, more than 4 hours etc.) from the program.  
  • Highly discouraged as they will disrupt the immersive experience of the program. Special Leaves must be requested/approved in Orah for by parent/guardian only. 
  • Required Information for request submission: Location, Duration, Contact Person and Number. 
  • A request may be granted or denied at the discretion of The Institute.   
  • ​All requests must be made as early as possible in Orah via call to Welcome Desk or email. 
  • Students who are caught attempting to fabricate approval of their own Special Leave request by their parent/guardian will be subject to immediate expulsion. 

Lanyards and ID Cards

Lanyards are distributed to students at the beginning of the program to carry their room keys and the Sotheby’s Summer Institute – Pre-College ID. Students are expected to always wear their Institute lanyard during the program. The charge for lost or unreturned keys and/or IDs is $25. Families are responsible for these fees, which must be paid to The Institute directly.

Note: Day Students must check in and out with the Welcome Desk daily to receive and return their ID cards. Day Students will be charged for any lost and/or unreturned cards a fee of $25.

Health & Safety

Required vaccinations for the program 

All students must provide health information including proof of immunization for Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Meningitis in the Program Form after enrollment.

Summer Institute students are not required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination. However, we strongly recommend that students follow CDC guidelines for COVID-19 which recommend that everyone be up to date with COVID-19 vaccines including booster doses.

We reserve the right to require any vaccinations as recommended by the Center for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration, The World Health Organization, New York State or City agencies, and the program’s accommodation provider, as deemed necessary for the prevention and control of any outbreak of communicable, infectious diseases.

Medical Exemptions 

Exemptions to certain requirements for medical reasons may be granted in limited circumstances and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Exemptions might be requested for a medical condition that contraindicates a student from: 

• receiving other vaccinations 
• being able to share a room with other students (requiring a solo room if space permits) 
• other relevant conditions
  

Exemption requests must be received at least 2 weeks prior to the start of term. The Institute will notify students by email if the exemption request has been accepted or rejected. In the case of an accepted medical exemption request, the student must follow all current Institute guidelines contained within this policy. To request a medical exemption, the student must submit a letter signed by a certified/licensed medical provider describing the student’s medical condition. The letter must certify to the following: 

• The student is the patient of the medical provider; 
• The medical provider has reviewed the student’s medical history; 
• The student has a medical condition that contraindicates a student from one or more of the above listed circumstances 

The letter must also provide contact information for the medical provider (name, address, telephone and email). The letter must be sent by email to exemptions@sia.edu. 

Air Travel

The campus is accessible from all three major airports in the New York metropolitan area: John F. Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Taxi and ride sharing services (such as Uber Teen) are available from all airports. Additional information about airport transportation and other forms of public transportation is available online through The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey website.

Please remember to check policies for unaccompanied minors when making travel and transportation arrangements.

This information is provided for information purposes only.  The Institute does not endorse and is not affiliated or associated with any transportation company or agency.

Arrivals & Departures

Check-in occurs during the afternoon on the first Sunday of each term. Please plan for arrivals accordingly. The specific check-in location will be emailed to you in advance of your check-in.

• Day students should arrive between 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm for official program check-in. Note: Day Students will meet at 3:30 pm with program staff prior to Student Orientation at 4:00 pm.
• Residential students should arrive between 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm for official program check-in.

In adherence with program guidelines, parents/guardians may not escort their students to their rooms upon check-in. However, parents can wait for students to settle in their dorm spaces in the lobby and meet with them for a final goodbye before the start of the Student Orientation at area cafes or restaurants. Note, in accordance with residence hall policy, families will not be allowed to congregate outside of residential facilities. On-street parking is not available in front of residential buildings, however, there are local parking lots in the surrounding vicinity for a fee.

Summer Institute students may depart the program on the last Friday of the term after the conclusion of the closing ceremony (approximately 11:00 am however parents/guardians should allow extra time when booking flights and travel in the event their student is late moving out). Students must vacate their dorm rooms/depart from campus by 1:00 pm at the latest after they have received approval from their program counselors. Students must officially check out with the Welcome Desk to return their ID room keys, as well as any borrowed computers or phones; failure to do so will result in parents being billed for unreturned items.

Arrival and departure days and times are the start and end of the program term. We will not have housing or staff available outside of the specified term dates and times.

The Institute does not monitor student travel after students have checked out of the program nor is The Institute available to solve travel related problems such as cancelled or delayed flights. Families should consider how to manage travel issues of unaccompanied minors and be aware that unaccompanied children under 18 are unable to book or check into a hotel room.

Orientation

Student Orientation: Orientation for students will take place on check-in day (Sunday) for each term. All students (day and residential) are expected to attend the mandatory Orientation starting at 4:00 pm as well as mandatory Living and Learning Community (LLC) meetings running from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on the first day of the term. All students will be divided into their Living and Learning Communities (LLCs) groups on Orientation Day.

Pre-Orientation for Families: Parents are welcome to participate in a virtual pre-orientation for students and families two weeks prior to move-in day. This orientation will outline details of the program including technology demonstrations and Q & A as well as policies, academic expectations, co-curricular events and more. See below for a schedule of important dates for each term.

Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony will take place on the morning of the last Friday of the term, prior to check-out. Please plan your travel plans accordingly to accommodate for the closing ceremony. More information will be released closer to the start of the program. Parents/guardians will be sent a Zoom link so that they can view virtually.

Co-Curricular Activities & Events 

Our co-curricular and residential life activities take place daily after dinner usually begin at 6pm and consist of carefully curated programming ranging from small group local neighborhood activities to program-wide outings. Events will focus on arts, culture or unique New York experiences. These activities are open to both residential and day students and will be supervised by Summer Institute staff. Saturdays will be designated as Exploration Days.

To view and download a sample schedule of co-curricular activities and events, please click here.

Class Information

Students will participate in site visits to various locations across New York City during class time to supplement coursework. Lead instructors, instructors and/or chaperones will accompany students on site visits. 

The program is designed to provide similar benefits to high school students as provided by introductory college courses in art history: an understanding and enjoyment of works of art within historical and cultural contexts, including the role played by the international art market. Students will learn to look at works of art critically, with intelligence and sensitivity, and analyze what they see. 

Please note that works of art may include nudity and other mature content that students would encounter in a typical college-level introductory art history course. 

Parents who are concerned about the content of the program or their child’s ability to complete the requirements should contact academics@sia.edu.

Student Evaluations and Certificate of Completion 

Students do not receive traditional letter grades. Instead, upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a narrative evaluation from their faculty in their Canvas account and a digital certificate of completion. Please note that students must have all balances paid in full, including any fees for lost/unreturned room keys, etc. before receiving these evaluations and certificates.

Travel and Safety

Students will be accompanied by instructors and/or program staff during class site visits and official program activities and will travel using public transportation including the NYC subway and bus system.

Note: Students should expect to walk substantially on academic site visits as well as during co-curricular activities daily throughout the program. Please plan accordingly by wearing comfortable clothes and shoes, bringing a refillable water bottle and getting plenty of rest.

During their free time, students can travel around New York City with other students by using our checkout system through the student services app Orah. Students and staff will communicate through Orah to stay informed with any relevant information that students may need while off campus. All students are expected to return to campus prior to campus curfew at 9:30 pm Sunday to Thursday and 10:00 pm Friday and Saturday.

We recommend that students and parents/guardians discuss safety and guidelines prior to their arrival at Summer Institute. Parents should feel comfortable allowing their students to move unsupervised throughout New York City during their off time.

Students are responsible for their own travel expenses during the program (including New York City public transit system and MetroCard costs) and will need to ensure that they secure their travel passes prior to checking into the program that first Sunday.

2 ways to obtain travel passes are:

a. Tap to Pay on mobile phone (requires credit card upload onto their phones (Recommended)

b. Purchase a MetroCard on site in any subway station prior to arrival

Students should budget approximately $6 per round trip for the entirety of the two-week term. Additional costs need to be accounted for should they wish to attend additional optional activities that require travel outside of the campus boundary.

Communication

Please check your email regularly for program communications that are distributed prior to the start of the program as well as throughout the program term. We share important information about next steps and what you need to know prior to the start of the program and during the program.

During the program: A dedicated phone line is provided all to students and families prior to move-in day which connects to program staff at the Welcome Desk, the program communication center throughout the duration of the term and attends to student and parent/guardian queries. The Institute will primarily communicate with parents through email at studentlife@sia.edu.

All students will be given an Emergency Phone Number on the day of their arrival. While they will have access to our team at any time, this number allows students to reach us in case of emergencies.

Communication Platforms

Parents and guardians must use Orah to request/approve special leaves or extended excused absences. Instructions for using Orah will be sent to all parents prior to the start of the program. 

Orah (students and parents/guardians): Orah is an app that Sotheby’s Summer Institute – Pre-College uses to track student whereabouts, medical alerts, student information, and other important notes about student care. Any time students leave campus they must request the leave through Orah and the Sotheby’s Summer Institute-Pre-College staff will approve/deny the request.   

Canvas (students only): Canvas is the Learning Management System used by Sotheby’s Summer Institute- Pre-College faculty to communicate academic needs and assignments with students and by program staff to communicate all aspects of the program for the term duration from policies to daily schedule of events. Students are encouraged to check their Canvas accounts multiple times throughout the day. 

Pronto (students): The program and/or program staff will not request personal contact numbers from students to communicate throughout the program term. Instead, we employ Pronto app, an education-based communication platform to directly message students.

Please Note: Some students might feel homesick at the start of the program, and they may need a few days to adjust to the new surroundings and routines. Residential staff will be especially attentive to the needs of students at the start of the program. Once settled in, students typically become fully engaged in the program and calls home may become less frequent. We suggest establishing reasonable communication expectations between parent/guardian(s) and students before the start of the program.  

Residential students may use their own personal US compatible cell phones during the program at times that do not interfere with the courses or activities. The Institute does not provide a phone for students to receive calls.

Packing List

Bedding 

Please Note: Our residential facility does not provide bedding/linens. Students will need to bring a fitted twin XL-sized sheet, blanket, towel, pillow etc.   

Additional Items to Bring: 

• Clothing: light and cool casual summer clothing, jacket or sweatshirt, raincoat, swimsuit, sandals, comfortable walking shoes, a set of nicer clothes

• Weather gear: sunscreen, sunglasses, umbrella, reusable water bottle  

• Academic supplies: laptop, notebook, pen  

• Camera and/or journal/diary  
• Personal electronics: Laptop, U.S compatible cell phone and plan, hair dryer, headphones, chargers and laptop adapters (if international)

• Photo ID (e.g. government issued ID, official school ID, or copy of passport)  

• Copy of health insurance card (front and back) 

• Spending money (for travel, souvenirs, and incidentals) 

*Students should bring clothing that is smart casual and appropriate for class site visits to offices and workspaces (comfortable, but presentable). Formal and/or semi-formal wear is not necessary for Summer Institute (dress clothes, dresses/gowns, suits and ties, dress shoes, sports jackets, etc.). Also, students will be doing a great deal of walking throughout their day, so please remember comfortable shoes and a reusable water bottle.

What NOT to Bring:

• Students may not bring flammable materials, including but not limited to candles, incense, matches, lighters, explosive devices or fireworks. Violators of this policy will be subject to immediate dismissal.
• Students are not allowed to bring or possess weapons of any kind, including but not limited to knives, firearms, paintball guns, laser pointers, pepper spray or other dangerous items. Violators of this policy will be subject to immediate dismissal.
• Students are not allowed to use or possess tobacco or nicotine products, alcoholic beverages, drugs or unauthorized medications. Violators of this policy will be subject to immediate dismissal.
• Students are not allowed to have or operate a car, skateboard, skates or a bicycle on campus.
• Students may not bring pets.
• Students may not bring cooking or kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators, microwaves, toaster ovens or hot plates.
• Students many not bring drones or any other motorized objects.
• We recommend that students not bring any valuables; Summer Institute takes no responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen items.

Dress Code

The Institute expects all students to dress in a way that is appropriate for an academic environment. Students will frequently be interacting with professionals and in professional environments and should dress as such. Basic Principle: Certain body parts (genitals, buttocks, breasts, and nipples) must be covered at all times by opaque clothing.

Students must wear:

• A full-length shirt which covers the entire midriff and private parts

• Pants/jeans or the equivalent (skirt, leggings, a dress, or shorts)

Students cannot wear:

• Swimsuits

• Pajamas

• Spaghetti strap shirts

• Clothing or accessories with violent language or imagery

• Clothing or accessories with language depicting drugs, alcohol, or any illegal activity

• Clothing or accessories with images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment

• Accessories that could be dangerous or used as a weapon

Community

Sotheby’s Institute of Art aims to create a respectful, inclusive and student-focused community with the goal of creating a positive learning environment for students enrolled in its programs. With that aim in mind, Institute staff are dedicated to working closely with families to ensure that all questions and concerns are answered in a prompt and complete manner. We encourage community members to review our Community Standards and Guidelines, in the Student and Family Handbook which aims to ensure that our public-facing social media channels are inclusive and inviting for everyone.

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Questions?

We look forward to providing you with a truly rewarding learning experience this summer. We know you will have questions as the program approaches. You are likely to find the answers on our comprehensive FAQ page.

For all other questions related to the student experience, please feel free to contact us at studentlife@sia.edu.